Transcript: NewsCenter Podcast

May 13, 2026

Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County NewsCenter podcast. Coming up, learn about LED streetlights, autism, housing needs, the Kinship program, residential Fast Track building plan reviews and Older Americans Month. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at fairfaxcounty.gov.

A major, multiyear project to convert Fairfax County streetlights to high-efficiency LED fixtures is nearing the finish line. The project was implemented to deliver significant energy savings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure lighting levels to roadways meet current standards. Dominion Energy installs, owns, operates and maintains about 96% of the 60,000 streetlights in Fairfax County. Under a coordinated plan with the county that started in 2019, the LED Conversion Program is converting more than 56,000 outdated mercury vapor, high-pressure sodium and metal halide fixtures to LEDs. As of March 2026, approximately 93% -- about 52,100 streetlights within Dominion Energy’s service area – have been upgraded to LED, with another 2,400 conversions in Dominion’s queue for estimating and construction. Combined with other streetlight conversions within the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative service area, these upgrades have reduced energy use for streetlight operations by an estimated 56 percent. NewsCenter has more details. Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, one in 31 children have autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. ASD can occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups and is more than three times more common among boys than girls. Research suggests that early intervention services can greatly improve a child’s development. Individuals with ASD may struggle with social communication and interaction, and restriction or repetitive behaviors or interests. They may have different ways of learning, interacting or paying attention, which can make life challenging. Families of children with ASD should contact the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board. The CSB is the "point of entry" to apply for services for residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church who have developmental disabilities, including ASD. To be eligible for services, individuals must meet certain diagnostic and functional criteria. To learn more about the application process and to schedule an appointment, call 703-324-4400 to contact an intake support coordinator.

About 87 percent of renters with annual household incomes at or below $75,000 are spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent. This is one of many findings presented in the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development’s newly released “Assessing Housing Needs in Fairfax County” study, created on the agency’s behalf with support from HR&A Advisors, Inc. The analysis finds that housing supply is also an issue, as Fairfax County currently lacks an estimated 13,800 rental homes affordable to households at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income. In Fairfax County, four-member households with annual incomes at or below $98,350, and two-person households with annual incomes at or below $78,700, are 60 percent AMI. The analysis finds that the average market-rate rent in Fairfax County is $2,500 per month. To afford rent, a household requires an annual income of at least $100,000. Public safety recruits, construction workers, and federal government workers who are GS-8 level and below are some of the occupations priced out of the Fairfax County rental market. Get more details at fairfaxcounty.gov/housing.

Across Fairfax County, many grandparents, relatives, and close family friends are quietly stepping into an essential role: raising children when parents are unable to do so. If you are caring for a grandchild, niece, nephew, younger sibling, or the child of someone close to you, you are considered a kinship caregiver. These caregivers provide children with the comfort of familiar faces, routines, and cultural connections during times of uncertainty. But while this role can be deeply meaningful, it can also be challenging to navigate alone. To support these families, Fairfax County Department of Family Services and Formed Families Forward have partnered to create the Kinship Assistance, Resources, and Education program. KARE is designed specifically to connect kinship caregivers with information, guidance, and practical supports that strengthen families and help caregivers meet children’s needs. Learn more. Call the Kinship Resource Line: 703-324-4534.

Land Development Services is making it faster and easier for you to start home improvement projects. Staff have been re-allocated to speed up their residential Fast Track building plan reviews, cutting the review time from five business days to just one. The goal is simple: help you move your projects forward without long delays. A similar review of the commercial Fast Track program is also underway. The Fast Track program provides homeowners with a shorter review when their plans are construction‑ready, and the project is not overly complex. County staff review submissions in the order they are received. Residents are strongly encouraged to call 703-222-0801 or email mailto:LDSBuildingPermits@fairfaxcounty.gov before submitting an application to make sure their project qualifies. Projects that may be eligible include:

• One‑story additions 500 square feet or smaller
• Decks
• Finished basements
• Retaining walls up to four feet tall (segmented walls and tiered retaining walls are not eligible)
• Garages 500 square feet or smaller
• Sheds 500 square feet or smaller
• (Single‑story sheds 256 square feet or smaller do not need a permit)
• Minor interior changes
• Swimming pools
• Solar panels
• Truss shop drawings

Learn more on NewsCenter; visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news. 

May is Older Americans Month. It is a time to honor the many ways older adults contribute to our families and communities, to look at how our population is aging, and to renew our promise to support older adults. This year’s theme is “Champion Your Health.” It focuses on staying healthy, preventing illness, and taking personal responsibility for your health. It encourages older adults to speak up for themselves, get regular checkups, and make choices that help them stay independent. This month, both communities and individuals can take steps to support good health and healthy aging. Here are some simple ways people of any age can take charge of their health:

• Keep up with regular checkups, vaccines, and health screenings. Stay connected with friends, family, and community to support your emotional well-being.
• Eat healthy foods that are fresh or only lightly processed.
• Be physically active on a regular basis to stay strong and move easily.
• Practice daily habits that support good mental health and help you cope with stress.

Fairfax County is working to support healthy aging in a variety of ways. Learn more; search "Celebrating Older Americans Month" on fairfaxcounty.gov. 

Finally, subscribe to “Weekender,” the county’s weekend arts and entertainment e-newsletter. “Weekender” brings together offerings from around the county and delivers that info right to your inbox. Don’t miss out on fun happenings throughout the county. Subscribe to “Weekender” at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/weekender.

That’s all for this NewsCenter podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for news updates, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news. Follow the NewsCenter podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. You can also listen 24/7 online to Fairfax County Government Radio at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio. If you have questions, call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov. The NewsCenter podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government.